A man who punched a pub landlord after a Black Eye Friday night and then bit the leg of a man who tried to intervene out has been handed a suspended sentence.

Ashley Robert Gardener, of Station Road, Port St Mary, had to be Pava sprayed by police twice, once outside the pub and then after being taken to hospital and becoming aggressive in accident and emergency.

The 21-year-old pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm on Tuesday and had previously admitted common assault, disorderly behaviour on licensed premises, being drunk and disorderly, threatening behaviour and resisting arrest.

We previously reported how Gardener was asked to leave the Nag’s Head on December 20 at 11.45pm after reports of him acting inappropriately towards women.

He was then said to have told bouncers: ’I’ll stab you,’ and tried to re-enter the pub.

Gardener punched the designated official in the face and a member of the public then tried to intervene which resulted in him and Gardener wrestling on the ground.

Scuffle

During the scuffle, Gardener bit the man on the leg and spat blood in his face.

Police arrived and had to use Pava spray and leg restraints to control Gardener.

It was said that the man had to be treated with antibiotics as the bite had broken the skin.

Gardener was also taken to accident and emergency for treatment but once there was said to have become aggressive, shouting and swearing until he was eventually put on the floor by police and restrained using the incapacitant spray.

Defence advocate Lawrence Vaughan-Williams told the court: ’I am not going to seek to excuse, explain or condone the behaviour of my client.

’He accepts full responsibility for his actions which are totally out of character.’

The advocate said that Gardener was currently studying at University College Isle of Man to become a motor vehicle technician.

Mr Vaughan-Williams referred to a probation report which said that Gardener was remorseful, was seeking help for alcohol and substance abuse, and had been referred to mental health services.

’He is terrified of going to prison,’ said the advocate.

Magistrates sentenced Gardener to 38 weeks’ custody, suspended for two years and also made him the subject of a two-year suspended sentence supervision order.

Gardener was also banned from entering licensed premises and purchasing or being sold alcohol for two years and he must pay total compensation of £1,000 to the landlord and the man he bit. Costs of £175 must also be paid.